Diverticulosis Foods to Eat: A List of High-Fiber Foods for a Diet to Manage Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis Foods to Eat: A List of High-Fiber Foods for a Diet to Manage Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
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Diverticulosis is the name for the condition when the large intestine has small pouches bulging outward in its weaker spots. It’s largely asymptomatic, with diverticulitis being the name for when the diverticula (the name of the small pouches) get inflamed. While diverticulosis generally causes no discomfort, it’s important for someone with this condition to adjust their diet to attempt to avoid developing diveritculitis. What are the changes you can make in order to manage diverticulosis? Foods to eat with diverticulosis are high fiber foods.

Fiber is the answer. Scientists believe that a low-fiber diet is the primary cause of diverticulosis. The condition was nonexistent until the early 1900s, when the introduction of processed (read: low fiber) foods into the diet led to physicians noticing and diagnosing the condition. Fiber “greases the wheels” in the intestines and helps to keep things running smoothly. When there is constipation, straining is believed to cause the weak spots in the colon to bulge out. A high fiber diet is usually the recommended treatment for diverticulosis. Here are some ways to incorporate more fiber into your diet.

Dry Beans

263564 black beans

Minimum recommendations for daily fiber intake range from 20 to 35 grams. Dry beans are a very high fiber food. Beans’ notorious reputation for causing flatulence is only present in those who don’t eat beans often. Try adding Beano to beans when introducing them to the diet to reduce reactions. Over time, and if you eat beans regularly, digestive distress should subside.

  • Black beans – 7.5 grams of fiber per half-cup
  • Kidney beans – 8.2 grams of fiber per half-cup
  • Navy beans – 9.5 grams of fiber per half-cup

Whole Grains

Whole grains are grains that contain the germ and the bran, parts that are removed when grains are refined. The germ and bran contain a good deal of fiber, which makes whole grains an excellent high-fiber food choice.

  • Oatmeal – 3.0 grams per packet
  • Whole wheat English muffin – 4.4 grams of fiber
  • Post Bran Flakes – 5.3 grams per 3/4 cup
  • All-Bran – 9.6 grams per half-cup

Fruits and Vegetables

1015008 granola cereal 3

Fruits and vegetables, as well as being highly nutritious, also contain lots of healthy fiber. Much of the fiber in fruits and vegetables is present in the skin. The skin is also usually a great source of antioxidants and phytonutrients, so eating the skin of apples, potatoes, and the like is highly recommended.

  • Cauliflower – 2.5 grams per cup

  • Turnip greens – 2.5 grams per half-cup

  • Winter squash – 2.9 grams per half-cup

  • Spinach – 3.5 grams per half-cup

  • Potato with skin– 3.8 grams apiece

  • Mixed vegetables – 4.0 grams per half-cup

  • Green peas – 4.4 grams per half-cup

  • Sweet potato with skin– 4.8 grams apiece

  • Apple, with skin – 3.3 grams apiece

  • Stewed prunes – 3.8 grams per half-cup

  • Raspberries – 4.0 grams per half-cup

  • Pear, with skin – 4.3 grams apiece

When you have diverticulosis, foods to eat include various high-fiber offerings, such as whole grains, dry beans, and fruits and vegetables. These contain soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are desirable in managing the digestive process and diverticulosis. Use this handy list as a reference for getting more fiber into your diet, and you’ll keep your diverticulosis in check.

References

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diverticulosisanddiverticulitis.html

Diverticulitis & Diverticulosis: https://www.eugene-or.gov/healthierathome/p156%20Diveticulitis%20&%20Diverticulotis.htm

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: https://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/

Images:

  1. https://www.sxc.hu/photo/1266226
  2. https://www.sxc.hu/photo/263564
  3. https://www.sxc.hu/photo/1015008